UConn prevails in unconventional season, but what will next year bring?
It was anything but an ordinary NCAA men’s basketball tournament, but in the end UConn took home the hardware. USA TODAY Sports’ Tony Anderson and Dan Wolken break it all down.
SportsPulse, USA TODAY
Students and fans looking to get into an arena watch party on San Diego State University’s campus for the viewing of the men’s college basketball championship game pushed through security barriers and scaled fences to try to get entry into the venue after it had reached maximum capacity.
According to the Daily Aztec, San Diego State’s independently-run student newspaper, thousands of spectators showed up Monday evening to Viejas Arena, ahead of the Aztec’s eventual 76-59 loss against the Connecticut Huskies. Normal security protocols were in place to attend the event, including the use of metal detectors and bag checks.
The Daily Aztec reported that as tipoff time drew near, orderly lines never formed and the crowd pushed forward toward the entry points, despite announcements asking for fans to move back.
A video posted to the account of Daniela Ramirez, one of the Daily Aztec student reporters on the scene, showed several hundred people trying to push their way into the arena grounds after doors had been closed to seal off access. Several people scaled a barrier and then pushed open doors from the inside to allow others to rush into the venue. In the video, security and event staff are overwhelmingly outnumbered and try to impede the progress of people looking to rush in.
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According to the Daily Aztec, the official Twitter account of Viejas Arena posted an announcement at 6:19 p.m. local time to apparently attempt to calm the situation outside the venue.
“The Viejas Arena has reached maximum capacity,” read the tweet, which has since been deleted. “We are no longer allowing new visitors entrance into the venue. We appreciate your understanding. Go Aztecs!!
According to a log posted to the San Diego State University Police Department’s website, the department responded Monday night for several area and building checks in the surrounding area around the arena.
A message left for police was not immediately returned but the department issued a statement to the Daily Aztec about the incident.
“We are appalled by the behavior of a number of individuals who chose to access Viejas Arena gates, disregarding the direction of security officials, to access the venue after it reached capacity,” the statement read. The Daily Aztec reported that no arrests were made and there were no reports of damaged property.
According to the Daily Aztec, watch parties were held for the men’s Sweet 16 and Final Four games.
The site of the Aztec men’s and women’s home basketball games, Viejas Arena lists a maximum capacity of 12,414.
